The Connecticut shoreline is dotted with beautiful beaches and marinas for swimming and boating in the summer; and in winter months, New England's ski slopes are a short drive away.

Bridgeport itself offers many social and cultural activities. The Barnum Museum features three floors devoted to the life and adventures of P.T. Barnum, including a miniature reproduction of his "Greatest Show on Earth." The Discovery Museum houses a spacious art gallery with visiting exhibits, as well as a planetarium and a space gallery.

The Beardsley Zoological Gardens are home to an exotic variety of animals, and Bridgeport Jai Alai combines the excitement of professional sports with the thrill of easy wagering and big payoffs.

Captain's Cove Seaport maintains slips for more than 400 boats, boutiques, and a large refreshment lounge, all surrounded by a panoramic view of the Sound. The HMS Rose, a restored 24-gun frigate built in 1757, is berthed at Captain's Cove from April to October and is open for tours.

Theater and performing arts thrive in Bridgeport, home of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, the Polka Dot Playhouse, the Connecticut Grand Opera, Downtown Cabaret Theater, and the Klein Memorial Auditorium, where traveling companies frequently stage productions. Other Fairfield County companies include the Westport County Playhouse and the Boston Post Road Stage Company.

Only 15 miles from Bridgeport, New Haven's acclaimed regional theaters include the Shubert, Long Wharf, and Yale Repertory Theater. Many other cultural opportunities abound at Yale University.

Fairfield County is known for exquisite dining, from unusual ethnic foods and four-star menus, to authentic pizza and the freshest seafood.

Beyond greater Bridgeport, Connecticut and New England offer the historical attractions of Mystic Seaport, a restored 19th century whaling village; and Old Sturbridge Village, a functioning early American settlement. Nearly every Connecticut town is built around an historic green, and many communities have restored the original homes of their founders. State parks offer camp sites and scenic hiking trails, where nature and wildlife are preserved for your exploration and enjoyment.

Sports teams in the area include Bridgeport's own Bluefish Baseball Team, Connecticut Yankees Lacrosse Team, and Connecticut Yankees Rugby Team.